Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp visited Prairie View A&M University’s Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Farm & Ranch on April 18, 2022, along with Texas State Representative for House District 75, Mary Gonzalez, to tour the facilities, visit with students and learn more about the ranch’s daily functions. Rep. Gonzalez worked with Sharp to plan the visit and they met with PVAMU President Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., and heard about the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences’ advancements from CAHS Dean and Land Grant Director Gerard D’Souza, Ph.D.

The students and farm employees set up vignettes around the farm that displayed the work done in the various areas, including the International Goat Research Center. The guests saw all the awards students won at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and met some of the students who competed and placed at the event. Sharp, Gonzalez and President Simmons spoke with technicians about lab research, and they heard from even more students who volunteer at the ranch, including those who take care of the baby goats, those doing research on goat dialysis, Texas A&M University students completing a clinical rotation, and PVAMU nursing students who spend time training in the goat center as well.

“The students absolutely loved having President Simmons out there to see the splendid work they’re doing,” Foxworth said. “Some of them even had tears in their eyes. They had the opportunity to tell their story and for a lot of them, it was important.”

Following the successful tour Foxworth said both Sharp and Gonzalez expressed interest in learning how they can contribute to the success of the farm. He hopes that their tour leads to increased exposure for the farm and secures more funding for the future.

“The president is at the top of the university; the chancellor is at the top of the system and the representative is part of the funding infrastructure too,” Foxworth said. “So, it is important that they see what we do, and we are trying to regain some of the international aspects, so retaining the attention of the president, chancellor and the representative helps increase our visibility.”

“I was thrilled to welcome Chancellor Sharp and Rep. Mary Gonzalez to our research and development farm, along with President Simmons,” D’Souza said. “These visits are another step to showcasing our discoveries and all the magnificent work that we are doing together with our students and for the benefit of our stakeholders on a local and international level.”

Pascale Mondesir
Communication Specialist II
pamondesir@pvamu.edu